A day on track for Alonso at Fiorano

[Rob]

just read that RBR and Mclaren aint happy what a surprise.....

Ferrari under fire for Fiorano 'test'
Wed, 23 Jun 19:40:23 2010 www.eurosport.yahoo.co.uk

Ferrari is believed to have ruffled more than a few feathers inside the F1 paddock with its annual Fiorano media day last week, during which double world champion Fernando Alonso drove the newly-updated F10 around the Scuderia’s Italian test track for the first time.

Although all in-season testing has been banned since the beginning of last year in favour of cost-cutting, promotional or demonstration events are exempt from the rule.

According to The Daily Telegraph, there are concerns amongst rival teams that Alonso’s run at Fiorano exploited that very loophole in the regulations in order to gain extra knowledge of the new, Red Bull-style low exhaust system that the Prancing Horse is due to officially introduce in this weekend’s European Grand Prix in Valencia – and by extension, therefore, gain an unfair competitive advantage just as it is endeavouring to get back on terms with title adversaries McLaren-Mercedes and Red Bull Racing.

‘Fernando did a few laps of the track at the wheel of the F10 for promotional purposes, filming not only for partners of the Reds but also for some novel features which will soon enliven the new section on the Ferrari website, dedicated to F1,’ read an official statement on the matter from Maranello.

‘Even though he only completed very few kilometres – further limited by the demands of the film script – it was nevertheless Fernando’s debut at the Fiorano circuit at the wheel of a Ferrari F1 car...you have to make the most of any opportunity in this era of the testing ban!’

Whether Ferrari’s publicity stunt was indeed against the spirit of the rules, was simply taking full advantage of a grey area or was merely just that – a publicity stunt – it seems competitors are now rapidly trying to find ways to play catch-up, perhaps by introducing new ‘media days’ of their own.

Its a loophole that we have found, just like Brawn did withthe DD last year. Unlucky RBR and Mclaren. Forza Ferrari

[Greig]

Don't see how they can be upset, its allowed within the rules? they can do the same and probably do

[ferrari1.8t]

Ferrari is believed to have ruffled more than a few feathers inside the F1 paddock with its annual Fiorano media day last week, during which double world champion Fernando Alonso drove the newly-updated F10 around the Scuderia’s Italian test track for the first time.

This isn't some "one time stunt" that they are trying to pull over everyone. Ferrari has a media day annually at the Fiorano track. The other teams are just looking for ways to get Ferrari in trouble. RedBull and Macca are shaking in their boots in anticipation for our updates that are coming this weekend.

[chris.gotfunk]

This isn't some "one time stunt" that they are trying to pull over everyone. Ferrari has a media day annually at the Fiorano track. The other teams are just looking for ways to get Ferrari in trouble. RedBull and Macca are shaking in their boots in anticipation for our updates that are coming this weekend.

I have to admit, I am glad to see Ferrari pushing the gray areas again. We have been too straight edged about rules lately and need to be more on the edge like we used to be. Kudos to Ferrari for using the media day as a basic shakedown.

I, like most of us here think the testing ban is stupid and we need to exploit any loophole possible as the past two years we have seen Brawn (DDD) and McLaren (F-duct) push into areas that teams agreed they would not exploit.

[Rob]

Don't see how they can be upset, its allowed within the rules? they can do the same and probably do

yeah it is allowed. Looks like RBR and Mclaren are just trying to stir it up. Just cos their media days are boring. Its also away for Ferrari to give something back to the Tifosi on the website. As ferrari1.8t says, they are most likely to be shaking in boots abit. As they now, when we can pull it off, no one can touch us. As it will be this weekend onwards.

[Ste]

Onboard with Nando at Fiorano - http://www.ferrari.com/English/Formu...term=400525804

That was utterly fantastic, one of the best onboard video's I have ever seen.

The car looks like it has SO much grip there. Strange noise, almost like a TC system type sound.

Love the helmet cam, but what I'd really like to see is the drivers eye view, that we've never seen before. Either it's too high or too low. We need a camera inside the helmet between the eyes or something

[crewskas]

[ferrari1.8t]

That was utterly fantastic, one of the best onboard video's I have ever seen.

The car looks like it has SO much grip there. Strange noise, almost like a TC system type sound.

Love the helmet cam, but what I'd really like to see is the drivers eye view, that we've never seen before. Either it's too high or too low. We need a camera inside the helmet between the eyes or something

I heard that strange noise aswell...it usually occured after shifting? I wonder what it is? I would also love to have an "inside" helmet cam so we can have the full drivers
expierence!

[REDARMYSOJA]

just read that RBR and Mclaren aint happy what a surprise.....

Ferrari under fire for Fiorano 'test'
Wed, 23 Jun 19:40:23 2010 www.eurosport.yahoo.co.uk

Ferrari is believed to have ruffled more than a few feathers inside the F1 paddock with its annual Fiorano media day last week, during which double world champion Fernando Alonso drove the newly-updated F10 around the Scuderia’s Italian test track for the first time.

Although all in-season testing has been banned since the beginning of last year in favour of cost-cutting, promotional or demonstration events are exempt from the rule.

According to The Daily Telegraph, there are concerns amongst rival teams that Alonso’s run at Fiorano exploited that very loophole in the regulations in order to gain extra knowledge of the new, Red Bull-style low exhaust system that the Prancing Horse is due to officially introduce in this weekend’s European Grand Prix in Valencia – and by extension, therefore, gain an unfair competitive advantage just as it is endeavouring to get back on terms with title adversaries McLaren-Mercedes and Red Bull Racing.

I noticed there wasn't any quote from officials from any of those teams that are supposedly "upset". I think it because it merely media BS from some who don't realize that other teams do the same, and only look for any excuse to say "Ferrari cheats".

Red Bull has already done the same thing.

Red Bull made an early start to this week's final Formula One test of the 2010 pre-season.

The Milton Keynes based team had booked the Circuit de Catalunya one day early, ahead of the group test scheduled between Thursday and Sunday.

Red Bull's exclusive use of the Spanish venue on Wednesday was for private video filming purposes.

But the German language Speed Week, an on car sponsor of the team, reports that the day was put to good use by Red Bull Racing, with Sebastian Vettel at full speed in the morning before Mark Webber took over the RB6 in the afternoon.


http://www.f1sa.com/index.php?option...:f1&Itemid=157

And so has Mercedes who used the day to test their long wheel base car

Mercedes W01 prior to this weekend's Spanish Grand Prix. As the Brackley based team
confirmed it will use a longer-wheelbase chassis from the Barcelona race onwards, the car has reportedly been tested by the 7-time world champion at Rockingham.

The news was confirmed by Schumacher's new manager and spokesperson Sabine Kehm, who told the DPA news agency that her client drove the improved W01 on the combined oval and road course circuit team filming purposes (as in-season testing is banned by the FIA in Formula One).

http://www.autoevolution.com/news/sc...ham-20089.html

[epiclyaddicted]

I have to admit, I am glad to see Ferrari pushing the gray areas again. We have been too straight edged about rules lately and need to be more on the edge like we used to be. Kudos to Ferrari for using the media day as a basic shakedown.

I, like most of us here think the testing ban is stupid and we need to exploit any loophole possible as the past two years we have seen Brawn (DDD) and McLaren (F-duct) push into areas that teams agreed they would not exploit.

Exactly my thoughts.

I just hope we blow Red Bull and McLaren out of the water over the next few races!

[Ferrari_Fanatic]

that Ferrari looked mighty around the track! It's deffo got more grip!

[7mi]

Were are all pitures fom Valencia?? Cant wait..

[DIEK]

[shostak]

Rumours say Ferrari will gain 80% downforce with this update in Valencia.

[7mi]

Compered to what 80% more than we had in Canada? Then it would be amazing

[RedRebel40]

that Ferrari looked mighty around the track! It's deffo got more grip!

you can't say that by the look of it. I think Alonso is driving the car way below the maximum so it looks smooth.

[bkircher]

Or Maybe that's a benifit of the update!

[Rob]

I heard that strange noise aswell...it usually occured after shifting? I wonder what it is? I would also love to have an "inside" helmet cam so we can have the full drivers
expierence!

bouncing off the limiter.

[Rob]

Or Maybe that's a benifit of the update!

wouldnt be surprised. As the hot exhaust gas is denser than the air around it so it would help produce more downforce going into and through the DD and the bottom of the rear wing. Forza Ferrari.

[vcs316]

'Naughty' Ferrari breached test ban 'spirit' - Horner

Christian Horner on Friday accused a "naughty" Ferrari of breaching the "spirit" of the in-season testing ban.

The Italian team tested its new Red Bull-like low exhaust layout at its own Fiorano test circuit last week, under the guise of a "filming and promotional" day.

Indeed, Ferrari did distribute media photos of the event and even a video of Fernando Alonso driving the car with a camera mounted on his helmet.

"It was arguably within the letter of the laws but not within the spirit," Horner, team principal of Red Bull Racing, told the Telegraph.

"You don't just run these cars - there has to be a lot of planning - and it wasn't by mistake that they happened to run on that day with the new exhaust system," he added.

Horner suggested that if Ferrari was really just running the F10 for filming purposes, the car did not need to be fitted with its important Valencia update.

"They managed to have a look at it, and they've probably learned a bit. I'm sure there will be a lively debate at the next team principals' meeting," he predicted.

"I think it's something that needs to be tidied up, because it's effectively a gentlemen's agreement, and it's important that that should be respected."

But it is true that the Ferrari was running with Bridgestone's ultra-hard promotional tyres, and Alonso said the runs had been of little competitive value.

"I was running behind a car with cameras at 60kph so it was very stable," the Spaniard joked.

"We did some laps also with no car in front, and ten cameras on the car and on the helmet, so it was not very comfortable to drive, and it was also the first time driving a Ferrari F1 car at Fiorano," insisted Alonso.

http://www.motorsport.com/news/article.asp?ID=374642

[Tommy_F]

Pff, "spirit", "gentlemen's agreement" Why are they running the blown rear wing then? I thought that was against the "spirit", and they had a "gentlemen's agreement" not to use it (he may have even said it, AFAIK, too lazy to look for the quote).

[Greig]

He must be worried, good news I don't recall him commenting when MS done a promotional event at Rockingham with the new long wheelbase car......

[nash929]

Pff, "spirit", "gentlemen's agreement" Why are they running the blown rear wing then? I thought that was against the "spirit", and they had a "gentlemen's agreement" not to use it (he may have even said it, AFAIK, too lazy to look for the quote).

We'll that's a lot of Bull coming from Horner (no pun intended).

They all do it. For sure when they hold their 'Media Promotional' Videos, they'd say the same thing SF is saying.

[epiclyaddicted]

That's definitely good news for us then. Both McLaren and Red Bull worried about our updates.

And Horner talking of "spirit of the rules" and "gentlemen's agreement"?

[Hermann]

Absolutely ridiculous. RB and other teams have done that as well in the past, pot calling the cettle black. Horner is becoming a nuisance.

[vcs316]

McLaren want Ferrari testing loophole closed

McLaren team principal Martin Whitmarsh wants the rules on testing clarified after claiming Ferrari broke them.

Whitmarsh feels the Italian team contravened strict rules governing how much in-season testing can be done.

Fernando Alonso drove the current car at their Fiorano test track on 18 June for "promotional purposes".

"I didn't think they needed clarification, but for some they clearly do," said Whitmarsh, who felt the drive helped develop Ferrari's car.

The amount of costly testing teams can do was slashed as the global economic crisis hit Formula 1, with only four days of straight-line testing allowed during the season.

But teams are allowed to use their cars on tracks for promotional reasons, provided special tyres are used.

Ferrari's website claims Alonso "only completed a few kilometres." But the team added "you have to make the most of any opportunity in this era of the testing ban".

"Formula 1 is a very competitive business and people are going to try to take advantage of any perceived ambiguity," Whitmarsh said.

"It isn't ambiguous in my English interpretation of it, but others obviously thought it was," he added.

Both Ferrari's cars at Sunday's European Grand Prix in Valencia will be using the new blown diffuser for the first time, which channels exhaust gases to make the cars go faster.
Sebastian Vettel

Whitmarsh's thoughts were echoed by Red Bull team principal Christian Horner, who described Ferrari's promotional drive as "arguably within the letter of the laws, but not within the spirit".

And Whitmarsh believes it may well be time for limited in-season testing to be brought back to Formula 1.

"We had to take significant measures given the crisis involving the economy and Formula 1.

"I think now, as we can see signs of the economy improving, we can go back to testing. Formula One is about running cars, I think drivers enjoy testing and teams enjoy testing and developing cars," he said

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/moto...ne/8765414.stm

[Tommy_F]

Oh come on! RB did the same in Barcelona, Merc @ Rockingham and who knows what the other teams did that didn't attract any media attention (Renault Roadshows - how in hell are they at the 20th version of their front wing?!).

[Agron]

That was utterly fantastic, one of the best onboard video's I have ever seen.

The car looks like it has SO much grip there. Strange noise, almost like a TC system type sound.

Love the helmet cam, but what I'd really like to see is the drivers eye view, that we've never seen before. Either it's too high or too low. We need a camera inside the helmet between the eyes or something

Best onboard I've ever seen, helmet mounted, centered eye-level camera:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k6hGGlmie6U
A few more:
Inside the visor
Kubica, visor too


EDIT: Hilarious for Whithmarsh to criticize Ferrari for not honoring the spirit of the rules, considering how they decided to achieve their pole on so little gas they couldn't bring it back to the box just 1 race ago.

[Rob]

Renault did the same last week aswell. They ran Nicolas Prost and Mikhail Aleshin at the World Series meeting at Magny-Cours. That car was running with the new exhaust layout aswell.

[SilverSpeed]

Rob if that's true then they should STFU about Ferrari to... Everyone is doing it only when our red cars are doing it it's wrong...

pfffff sick and tyred of this mess...